Do you think you’re addicted to your smartphone? Most of us probably wouldn’t care to admit that. We probably think that we can easily put our phones down anytime we want. But according to a survey conducted by tech recycling experts Compare and Recycle, there’s a surge in people searching for phone addiction signs. Their survey also uncovered some disturbing and interesting things people would rather give up than their smartphones.
Lick a sidewalk or give up your smartphone?
According to the survey, Google searches for phone addiction signs have jumped a massive 461% in the past year. Queries for symptoms have also similarly jumped 200% in just the last month alone. But how addicted are we to our phones? Do you think there’s a chance you could give it?
Compare and Recycle’s nationwide survey asked what people would rather give up than go a week without their mobile phone, and the results are worrying, albeit slightly humorous. According to the survey, two-fifths of people said they’d rather give up caffeine entirely than be without their phones for seven days. Almost a quarter would go a week without seeing anyone. One in seven people would rather shave off an eyebrow, while 18% would give up showering.
Going even further to the point of absurdity, one in fourteen would rather lick a public sidewalk than part with their device. The survey also found that Gen Z showed the most extreme attachment. Some survey participants said they were willing to walk over hot coals, jump out of an airplane, or even get a tattoo chosen by a stranger rather than spend seven days without their phones.
Recognizing phone addiction signs in yourself
If these survey results have you worried and questioning if you might be addicted to your phone, good. Maybe this could be the wake-up call you need. If that’s the case, you might want to examine your own smartphone habits. Research from 2021 shows Americans check their phones 262 times per day. That’s basically once every 5.5 minutes.
The addiction has even been formally classified as tied to an anxiety disorder called “nomophobia” since 2014. Lee Elliott, Chief Product Officer at Compare and Recycle, notes we’ve developed a completely unhealthy relationship with our devices. However, platforms from Apple and Google have tools to help you keep track of the time you spend on your devices. This includes Google’s Digital Wellbeing initiative, which can help you monitor and self-limit your device usage.
As we head into the holiday season, maybe this could be a good time for a digital detox. Put that phone down and spend time with your loved ones, the same way they did before smartphones were even invented.
